Correlated curve trend (C.C.T.) experiments in Eucalyptus grandis on the Zululand coast of South Africa were analyzed. Growth parameters were described as functions of age using Schnute’s generalized growth function and parameter estimates were described as functions of stand density. Growth attributes were used as moments of a probability density function to describe a diameter distribution model for the species. Time trends in the relationships between growth parameters and stand density were scrutinized with multiple comparisons of paired means. It was shown that diameter growth in lower size classes ceases under conditions of extreme suppression while growth continues unabated in the larger size classes, resulting in greater dispersion in diameter. Competition mortality was to a large extent confined to the lower size classes and severe mortality results in an apparent increase in mean diameter which precludes use of growth functions which impose an asymptote. Allometric growth was investigated on two different sites and growth trends were shown to be anamorphic between sites. This permits a ratio approach to the estimation of growth and yield on one site based on experimental evidence from another. Thinning effects in terms of diameter and height changes were estimated from simulated thinnings using data from unthinned stands while the results of long-term thinning studies were compared in terms of cumulative volume yields. The age at which mean annual increment culminates was determined and a model for the estimation of m.a.i. as a function of age and stand density was constructed. A critical examination of spacing indices revealed that the slopes thereof were much steeper than those for many other species. The better-known indices of Reineke and Yoda were found to be dependent on age. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A thesis undertaken to quantify genotype-by-environment interaction within Eucalyptus grandis clones growing in the eastern portion of South Africa. Thirty one sites were selected to represent the "traditional" E. grandis growing areas of South Africa. Eleven common macro- site variables and twelve common micro- site soil variables were recorded at each site. Twenty seven E. grandis clones and four E. grandis hybrid clones were then evaluated over these 31 sites. An incomplete latin square design was used to evaluate the 31 test clones, and five E. grandis controls were incorporated into the trial design to link the 31 sites. Volume production, stem form, stem defects and survival were assessed at two and five years, as well as the disease infestation of three stem cankers at five years. The analytical methods which were used to evaluate and quantify the GEl portion of the study are the analysis of variance (ANOV A), correlation analysis, and joint regression analysis (IRA) together with the analysis of co-variance (ACOV AR). The growth-site association for volume production, stem form and Endothia disease infestation were investigated using factor analysis (FA), and equations derived for the species and for the individual clones using a stepwise multiple regression approach. GEl, as evaluated through JRA, revealed that an increase in site productivity lead to a positive linear response in productivity on a clonal level, and that there was a diverging or fanning pattern among the regression lines of the clones. This tendency was also observed for both the stem form and the Endothia infestation. Hence, no significant changes in the rankings of the clones were found, and only relevant differences between the clones were found to change significantly. Juvenile-mature genetic correlations for volume production and the stem form showed moderate (rg = 0,66 and rg = 0,70) correlations between the two and the five year assessments. On a species level, rainfall was the main environmental factor responsible for volume production, while latitude was the main influence on stem form and Endothia infestation. On an individual clone basis, some micro-site soil factor interaction within the clones was found for the growth-site response models. Keywords: Eucalyptus grandis, genotype environment interaction, clones, site factors, growth-site response, ANOV A, ACOV AR, GEl, FA, JRA, / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Studie is ondemeem om die genotipe-omgewingsinteraksie van Eucalyptus grandis klone, wat in die oostelike deel van Suid-Afrika groei, te kwantifiseer. Eenen- dertig groeiplekke is geselekteer om die "tradisionele" E. grandis groeiplekke in Suid-Afrika te verteenwoordig. Elf gemeenskaplike makro-groeiplek veranderlikes en twaalf gemeenskaplike mikro-groeiplek veranderlikes is by elk van die groei areas opgeteken. Sewe-en-twintig E. grandis klone en vier E. grandis basterklone is daama oor hierdie 31 groeiplekke geevalueer. 'n Onvolledige Latynse roosterontwerp is gebruik om die 31 toetsklone te evalueer en vyf kontroles is gebruik om die groeiplekke gemeenskaplik te verbind. Volume produksie, stamvorm, stamdefekte en oorlewing is op twee- en vyfjarige ouderdomme geevalueer terwyl besmetting met drie stamkankers op vyf jaar beoordeel is. Die analitiese metodes wat gebruik was om genotipeomgewingsinteraksie te evalueer en te kwantifiseer is die variansie analise (ANOYA), korrelasie analise, en gesamentlike regressie analise (JRA) tesame met ko-variansie analise (ACOY AR). Die groeiplek assosiasie vir volume produksie, stamvorm en Endothia besmetting is ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van faktor analise (FA), en vergelykings is verkry vir die spesies en individuele klone deur gebruik van 'n stapsgewyse meervoudige regressie benadering. Genotipe-omgewingsinteraksie, soos geevalueer deur JRA, wys dat 'n toename in groeiplek produktiwiteit lei tot 'n positiewe lineere reaksie in produktiwiteit op klonale vlak en dat daar 'n divergerende patroon tussen die regressielyne van die klone is. Hierdie tendens is ook vir beide die stamvorm en Endothia besmetting waargeneem. Gevolglik is nie-beduidende veranderings in die rangorde van die klone gevind en slegs reletiewe verskille tussen klone is gevind. Onvolwasse-volwasse genetiese korrelasies vir volume produksie en stamvorm toon matige korrelasies (rg =0.66 en rg =0.70) tussen die twee- en vyfjaar metings. Op 'n spesiesvlak was reenval die oorheersende omgewingsfaktor verantwoordelik vir volume produksie terwyl die breedtegraad ligging stamvorm en Endothia besmetting bemvloed het. Op individuele kloonvlak het sommige mikro-groeiplek interaksie binne klone bygedra tot die groei en groeiplek reaksie modelle. Sleutelwoorde: Eucalyptus grandis, Genotipe-omgewingsinteraksie, klone, groeiplek faktore, groeiplek reaksie, ANOY A, ACOY AR, FA, JRA

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is a timber scarce country that will most probably experience a shortage of structural timber in the near future. In this study the concept of using young finger‐jointed Eucalyptus grandis timber was evaluated for possible application in roof truss structures while the timber is still in the green, unseasoned state. 220 finger‐jointed boards of cross‐sectional dimension 48 x 73 mm and 36 x 111 mm timber, cut from 5‐18 year old Eucalyptus grandis trees were obtained from Limpopo province, South Africa. The boards were manufactured using a polyurethane (PU) adhesive at moisture content levels above fibre saturation point and no drying was performed. The objectives of this study were to determine various mechanical and physical properties of this finger‐jointed product. More specifically (1) to determine the strength and stiffness potential of the product in the wet and the dry condition, (2) to evaluate physical properties such as density, warp, checking and splitting, (3) to evaluate potential indicator properties to be used as structural grading parameters, and (4) to compare the flexural properties to the current SA pine resource and SANS structural grade requirements. The boards were divided into two groups of the same size, which constituted the wet and the dry samples. Each sample was further separated into six different groups for testing the different strength and stiffness properties. The dry group was stacked in a green‐house for nine weeks until equilibrium moisture content was reached. Afterwards selected physical properties such as warp, checking and splitting were assessed. Destructive testing was conducted on the boards and the results were used to determine various mechanical properties. Finally, each board was assessed for density and moisture content (MC) values. The study showed that the young finger‐jointed Eucalyptus grandis timber had very good flexural properties. Both mean modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) 5th percentile strength values for wet and dry boards complied with the current SANS 10163‐1 (2003) requirements for grade S7.The values of tensile perpendicular to grain and compression perpendicular to grain strength did not conform to SANS requirements for grade S5. The other strength properties for the wet and dry groups complied with one of the three SANS structural grades. The 5 year old (48 x 73 mm) boards’ showed significantly higher levels of twist and checking compared to 11 year old boards of the same dimension. Only 46.3% of the finger‐jointed products conformed to the density requirements in SANS 1783‐2 (2004) for grade S7. There was a significant difference in density between the three age groups (5, 11 and 18 years) presented in this study. The variation in both MOE and MOR values of the fingerjointed product proved to be significantly lower in comparison to currently used SA pine sources. Based on the results from this study the concept of producing roof trusses from wet, unseasoned and finger‐jointed young Eucalyptus grandis timber has potential. However, additional research on a number of issues not covered in this study is still required for this product including full scale truss evaluations, proof grading, PU adhesive evaluation at elevated temperatures, nail plate load capacity, and the possible need for chemical treatment of the product against Lyctus beetles. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid Afrika is ‘n land wat waarskynlik ‘n tekort aan strukturele hout sal ervaar in die nabye toekoms. In hierdie studie word die gebruik van jong gevingerlasde Eucalyptus grandis hout vir die moontlike gebruik in dakstrukture, terwyl nat en ongedroog, ondersoek. 220 gevingerlasde planke van deursnit 48 x 73 mm en 36 x 111 mm gesaag van 5‐18 jaar‐oue Eucalyptus grandis bome en afkomstig van die Limpopo provinsie in Suid Afrika, is gebruik. Die produk is vervaardig met poli‐uretaan (PU) lym uit planke met vog inhouds vlakke bo veselversadigingspunt. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om verskeie meganiese en fisiese eienskappe van die vingerlas produk vas te stel. Meer spesifiek (1) om die sterkte en modulus van elastisiteit (MOE) potensiaal van die vingerlas produk in die nat en droë toestand te analiseer, (2) om die fisiese eienskappe soos digtheid, vervorming, oppervlakbarse en spleting te ondersoek, (3) om potensiële graderingsparameters te evalueer, en (4) om die buigeienskappe van die produk te vergelyk met SA dennehout asook die SANS strukturele graad vereistes. Die planke is verdeel in twee groepe, ‘n nat groep en ‘n droë groep. Elke groep is verder verdeel in ses kleiner groepe soos buig, trek en drukmonsters. Die droë groep was in ‘n kweekhuis geplaas vir nege weke totdat veselversadigingspunt bereik is. Daarna is geselekteerde fisiese eienskappe soos vervorming, oppervlak barse en spleting gemeet. Destruktiewe toetsing is uitgevoer op die planke en die resultate was gebruik om verskeie meganiese eienskappe vas te stel. Laastens is elke plank se digtheid en voggehalte gemeet. Die studie het getoon dat die jong gevingerlasde Eucalyptus grandis hout goeie buigeienskappe het. Beide die gemiddelde MOE en buig sterkte 5de persentiel waardes van die nat en droë groep het voldoen aan die huidige SANS 10163‐1 (2003) vereistes vir graad S7. Die sterkte‐eienskappe van loodregte trekkrag en loodregte druk het nie die vereistes vir SANS graad S5 gemaak nie. Die ander sterkte‐eienskappe van die nat en droë groep het voldoen aan een van die drie SANS strukturele graadvereistes. Die 5 jaar‐oue (48 x 73 mm ) planke het beduidend hoër vlakke van draai‐trek en oppervlakbarste getoon as die 11 jaar‐oue planke van dieselfe dimensie. Slegs 46.3% van die vingerlas produk het voldoen aan digtheidsvereistes vir SANS graad S7. Daar was ‘n beduidende verskil in dightheid tussen die drie ouderdomsgroepe (5, 11 en 18 jaar). Die MOE en buigsterkte‐waardes van die Biligom produk het beduidend laer variasie as huidige SA denne houtbronne getoon. Die resultate verkry in die studie toon dat die konsep om dakkappe te vervaardig van nat, gevingerlasde jong Eucalyptus grandis hout die potensiaal het om suksesvol toegepas te word. Bykomende navorsing oor ‘n aantal faktore wat nie in hierdie studie ingesluit is nie word steeds benodig. Dit sluit in ‘n volskaalse dakkap evaluasie, proefgradering, PU lym evaluasie by hoë temperature, spykerplaat ladingskapasiteit en die moontlike noodsaaklikheid van chemiese behandeling van die produk teen Lyctus kewers, insluit.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A field trial of six replications was established to test the effect of various wood ash and fertilisers application rates on soil chemistry, tree nutrition and early growth rate of a clonal Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla stand. Wood ash from pulpmills is currently disposed of in landfills. Increasing costs and potential environmental risks have driven companies to investigate alternative disposal methods. Ash consists of a combination of carbonates, hydroxides and other calcium containing minerals that induce the liming effect if ash is applied to a soil. The trial was established near Richards Bay in October 2013 on a sandy soil with a low buffer capacity and a pH of approximately 5.5. The trial consists of four wood ash application rates in combination with three levels of fertiliser, viz. no fertiliser, 150 g conventional NPK fertiliser mixture, or 320g NPK controlled release mixture. Fertiliser mixtures and application levels were based on previous fertiliser trials in the region. Ash application rates for the field trial were based on a lab incubation study done with soil samples from Richards Bay, to which increasing amounts of lime were added. The study tested wood ash application rates of 0, 300, 600 and 1200 kg/ha. Field measurements were taken at 4 and 8 months after trial establishment. The primary objective was to investigate which application levels in combination with the type of fertiliser could be applied to soils without negatively affecting the stand nutrition or increase the levels of potentially harmful elements in the soil; thus investigating the feasibility of safely disposing wood ash on plantation soils as an alternative disposal method. Soil nutrient concentrations were not affected by individual wood ash treatments, but more a product of the time interval after the ash additions were made. Soil C, P, K+ and Mg2+ showed decreased concentrations from 4-8 months after establishment. Ca2+ concentrations increased in the same time interval. In addition, Na+ and B concentrations decreased from 4-8 months. Soil heavy metal concentrations for Cd, Hg, Cr and Pb, analysed for 0-1200 kg/ha ash rates, were well below toxic levels at both time intervals. Wood ash induced a temporary liming effect. Mean soil pH increased with 0.6 units for the period 0 - 4 months and decreased with 0.4 units at 4 - 8 months after trial establishment. Foliar nutrient analyses and assessment techniques revealed sub-optimal nutrient concentrations for P, K and Zn at 4 and 8 months of age. Concentrations were defined as sub-optimal, as none of the nutrients were below critical levels. Foliar heavy metal concentrations for Cd, Hg, Cr and Pb, measured at both time intervals, were less than 1mg/kg. The small concentrations found in this project were attributed to the low bioavailability of all four elements and were likely a product of the edaphic factors at Richards Bay, which was representative of a large greater portion of the Zululand coastal plain sites. The response in biomass index ranged between 13 % and 683 % relative to the control treatment (A0F0). Results showed that application of purely wood ash, or in combination with a supplementary N and P source increased growth up to 8 months after trial establishment for wood ash applications up to 1200 kg/ha. This project demonstrated that 1200 kg/ha wood ash can safely be disposed of on a typical Zululand coastal sand with little environmental risk and no supressed growth, provided that it is balanced with an appropriate NP fertiliser. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Veldproef met ses herhalings is in Oktober 2013 uitgelê met die doel om die uitwerking van verskillende vlakke hout as en kunsmis toedienings op die grond-voedingstof status, boom-voedingstof status en die groei-tempo van ‘n Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla hibried plantasie te bestudeer. Hout as by pulpmeulens word tans weggegooi op stortingsterreine. Toenemende onkostes vir storting en die omgewingsrisiko’s gebonde aan stortingsterreine, dryf maatskappye om verbeterde en meer omgewingsvriendelike metodes te ondersoek om van die as ontslae te raak. Hout as bestaan uit ‘n reeks karbonate, hidroksiede en kalsium bevattende minerale en is verantwoordelik vir die bekalkingseffek op die grond na toediening. Die veldproef is geleë naby Richardsbaai op ‘n sanderige grond met n lae bufferkapasiteit en pH van ongeveer 5.5. Die proef het vier hout as vlakke getoets, gekombineer met drie vlakke van bemesting: geen, 150g konvensionele landbou kunsmis (CV) óf 320g beheerd-vrystellende kunmis (CRF). Die kunsmismengsels en vlakke van bemesting is gebaseer op bestaande of voltooide bemestingseksperimente in die streek. Hout as vlakke was bereken in gekontroleerde laboratorium toestande en gebaseer op ‘n inkubasie studie met grond monsters verkry vanaf Richardsbaai, waarby toenemende vlakke suiwer landboukalk gevoeg is. Die veldproef het hout as vlakke van 0, 300, 600 en 1200 kg/ha getoets. Veld metings is op 4 en 8 maande na behandeling geneem. Die primêre doelwit van die studie was om te bepaal watter vlak hout as en kunmis kombinasie toegedien kan word, sonder om die grond-voedingstof status negatief te beïnvloed of ‘n potensiële skadelike uitwerking op die plantasie groei te veroorsaak. Die uiteinde van die studie was om die haalbaarheid van hout as toedienings op plantasie gronde te bestudeer relatief tot die huidige praktyk van storting, insluitend die risiko van moontlike skadelike newe-effekte. Grondvoedingstatus was nie beduidend beïnvloed deur individuele hout as toevoegings nie, maar was eerder ‘n funksie van die tydsduur sedert behandeling. Grond koolstof, P anione, K+ en Mg2+ konsentrasies het beduidend afgeneem in die periode van 4 - 8 maande na behandling. Die Ca2+ konsentrasies het toegeneem tussen 4 en 8 maande en terselfdertyd het Na+ en B konsentrasies afgeneem. Die swaarmetaal status, spesifiek vir Cd, Hg, Cr en Pb, vir toevoegings van 0-1200 kg/ha hout as was beduidend laer as toelaatbare vlakke in gronde op albei tydsintervalle. Die hout as het ‘n tydelike toename in grond pH veroorsaak. Die gemiddelde pH het tussen 0 - 4 maande toegeneem met 0.6 eenhede en gedurende 4 - 8 maande afgeem met 0.4 eenhede. Blaarontledings en voedingstof assesseringsmetodes het sub-optimale konsentrasies vir P, K en Zn getoon op die ouderdom van 4 en 8 maande. Voedingstof konsentrasies is as sub-optimaal geklassifiseer, omdat konsentrasies nooit laer as kritieke waardes vir gebreksimptome was nie. Die inhoud van Cd, Hg, Cr en Pb in blare was aansienlik kleiner as 1 mg/kg op albei tydsintervalle. Die merkwaardige lae konsentrasies wat in die projek aangeteken is, word toegekryf aan die lae bio-beskikbaarheid van al vier elemente as gevolg van die edafiese faktore eie aan die Richardsbaai omgewing (en ook aan groot dele van die Zoeloelandse kusvlakte). Die groeireaksie (bepaal as biomassa indeks op ouderdom 8 maande) het gewissel van 13 % - 683 % groter as die kontrole behandeling (A0F0). Resultate het bewys dat toedienings van suiwer hout as, of hout as gekombineer met ‘n addisionele N en P kunsmisbron die groei postief beïnvloed tot op die ouderdom van 8 maande. Die studie het bewys dat 1200 kg/ha hout as veilig toegedien kan word op die sandgronde van die kusgebiede in Zululand, met minimale omgewingsrisiko en geen tekens onderdrukte groei nie, mits dit gebalanseer word met ‘n geskikte NP kunsmisbron.